A bbq flameout sounds like some sort of awful entree or app that comes on a Chili's menu. In this case though I'm afraid I'm talking about the closing of Bender's BBQ Pit in Fishers on the corner of 96th and Masters. You might have remember my posting of a favorable review of it's cuisine earlier this Summer. After my post I started noticing that a lot of people didn't view their bbq from Bender's quite as favorably as I did. I made a couple of revisits that I never got around to blogging about, but keeping in mind that the restaurant recently closed after less than 6 months in business it seems appropriate to do so now.
I stand by my original assessment of the flavor of the food at Bender's. I enjoyed my pulled pork, and when I later had the brisket I found it even better than the pork. The sauce was good. The coleslaw ranked among my favorite of all time. The problem comes from the fact that little issues that I wrote off in the beginning as growing pains never really went away. Bender's seemed to want to do too much too soon (moving to a bigger space, serving breakfast) and the details got left behind. For example, every time I got a pulled pork sandwich from there the bottom bun was completely soggy to the point of being inedible. I kept hoping they would solve that problem, but they never did. One time the top bun of my sandwich was forgotten entirely.
I think it's a shame to see any local restaurant close, but I really wanted an awesome bbq restaurant in that part of town. From where I live, as it stands now, the closest bbq restaurants are either in Westfield or off of Binford, South of 465. Not really close at all. Hopefully someone will take up the reigns and not really try to run before they walk.
Eat Random
The idea for this blog is to blog about everything I think about food and food culture. I'll tell you what I like to eat, where I like to eat it and if I thought it was good or if I thought it was crap. My thoughts about food could go anywhere. Hey if you don't like it go blog at methodicaldudereallythinksalotaboutthefoodhesgoingtoeat.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Benders BBQ Pit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benders BBQ Pit. Show all posts
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Bender's BBQ Pit Location Update
A few weeks ago I wrote a post about a good new bbq place on 96th called Benders. I loved the food, but lamented that it was too small for anything but carryout. As I went there today for lunch I found out that was changing. I was disappointed I couldn't get bbq today, but I was glad to see they were in the process of moving the restaurant a couple doors down into a bigger more prominent space. The ability to have dine in customers and be visible from the road has to be a plus. They reopen tomorrow, and I'm hoping to get a sandwich and a peak at the new digs.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
BBQ Review: Bender's BBQ Pit
NOTE: Bender's BBQ Pit is closed as of September 2011
I'm not the sort of guy that goes out to lunch very often. Most of the time I bring my lunch, however mediocre it may be, to cut costs from my personal budget. Also, while my office is in a very high traffic area it is an area dominated by typical fast food places. Not that I have any problem with that, but it does get old. That is why I was so happy to hear about a new independent takeout BBQ place that opened up just North of where I work on 96th and Masters next to the Blue Crew. That place is Bender's BBQ Pit.
According to IndianapolisEater at Would I Buy It Again it has been open for over a month now, but it is tucked into the strip mall in such a way that I didn't even notice it despite the fact that I drive by there twice a day. It was a good thing I found out about it though because it makes a perfect candidate for a review on this blog. When I walked in I noticed two things immediately. First thing I noticed was the smell. The smell of sweet bbq smoke hung in the air so I knew right then they were at least doing something right (Don't oven roast something and tell me it's bbq dammit!). Secondly, I noticed that this is a business just getting off the grand and the interior was spartan. The drinks are served in cans since the soda fountain is not yet set up, and the menu is written on two whiteboards. Personally, I love that about a bbq joint. BBQ is the people's food. Nothing about a bbq restaurant needs to impress you except the food.
As far as the food goes I decided to go with the day's special...a pulled pork sandwich (personal fave), 1 side and a drink for $6. I was given 3 sauce options: sweet, mild, and hot. Normally I go for the middle level, but that day I decided on sweet and I was glad I did. It was definitely made in house and was not cloying like some sweet sauces could be. Perfect compliment to the meat. As far as the meat goes I will blatantly rip off Lucky Charms and call it magically delicious. It was moist, well flavored by the smoke, had a nice texture (not chopped or shredded), and had those wonderful pink "smoke ring" and charred bits included. The size of this sandwich was also larger than I was expecting. Quite a lunch. The coleslaw was quite good as well. Nothing mind blowing, but it was exactly what I want in a coleslaw. Nothing weird just do it right.
I really only have one minor minor complaint and it really had nothing to do with the food or service. When my sandwich and coleslaw were boxed up they were put into one container with two parts. As I took my sandwich back to the office the dressing from the slaw sloshed around quite a bit. A lot of it ended up in the sandwich compartment and in the bag. This made the bottom of the bun quite soggy so I had to eat it with my spork. I was okay with that and personally I love the bbq pork/coleslaw flavor combo, but some others may not. My suggestion would be a separate container with lid for the coleslaw.
Taste 8.5/10 It's bad news that this place opened up so close to my office. I'll probably be going in there waaay more than I probably should. There will be no regrets with I'm chowing down on smoked portions of Babe or Wilbur though.
Value 10/10 Only 6 bucks for a big pulled pork sandwich, healthy portion of coleslaw and a drink? Yes please! I don't know if that special will always be there, but damn it's hard to beat. They also have a 10 for 5 Groupon out right now if you're interested.
I'm not the sort of guy that goes out to lunch very often. Most of the time I bring my lunch, however mediocre it may be, to cut costs from my personal budget. Also, while my office is in a very high traffic area it is an area dominated by typical fast food places. Not that I have any problem with that, but it does get old. That is why I was so happy to hear about a new independent takeout BBQ place that opened up just North of where I work on 96th and Masters next to the Blue Crew. That place is Bender's BBQ Pit.
According to IndianapolisEater at Would I Buy It Again it has been open for over a month now, but it is tucked into the strip mall in such a way that I didn't even notice it despite the fact that I drive by there twice a day. It was a good thing I found out about it though because it makes a perfect candidate for a review on this blog. When I walked in I noticed two things immediately. First thing I noticed was the smell. The smell of sweet bbq smoke hung in the air so I knew right then they were at least doing something right (Don't oven roast something and tell me it's bbq dammit!). Secondly, I noticed that this is a business just getting off the grand and the interior was spartan. The drinks are served in cans since the soda fountain is not yet set up, and the menu is written on two whiteboards. Personally, I love that about a bbq joint. BBQ is the people's food. Nothing about a bbq restaurant needs to impress you except the food.
As far as the food goes I decided to go with the day's special...a pulled pork sandwich (personal fave), 1 side and a drink for $6. I was given 3 sauce options: sweet, mild, and hot. Normally I go for the middle level, but that day I decided on sweet and I was glad I did. It was definitely made in house and was not cloying like some sweet sauces could be. Perfect compliment to the meat. As far as the meat goes I will blatantly rip off Lucky Charms and call it magically delicious. It was moist, well flavored by the smoke, had a nice texture (not chopped or shredded), and had those wonderful pink "smoke ring" and charred bits included. The size of this sandwich was also larger than I was expecting. Quite a lunch. The coleslaw was quite good as well. Nothing mind blowing, but it was exactly what I want in a coleslaw. Nothing weird just do it right.I really only have one minor minor complaint and it really had nothing to do with the food or service. When my sandwich and coleslaw were boxed up they were put into one container with two parts. As I took my sandwich back to the office the dressing from the slaw sloshed around quite a bit. A lot of it ended up in the sandwich compartment and in the bag. This made the bottom of the bun quite soggy so I had to eat it with my spork. I was okay with that and personally I love the bbq pork/coleslaw flavor combo, but some others may not. My suggestion would be a separate container with lid for the coleslaw.
Taste 8.5/10 It's bad news that this place opened up so close to my office. I'll probably be going in there waaay more than I probably should. There will be no regrets with I'm chowing down on smoked portions of Babe or Wilbur though.
Value 10/10 Only 6 bucks for a big pulled pork sandwich, healthy portion of coleslaw and a drink? Yes please! I don't know if that special will always be there, but damn it's hard to beat. They also have a 10 for 5 Groupon out right now if you're interested.
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